Civil War Legislation - HIS 232-01

What act, written into law on August 6th, 1861, authorized the Union Army during the Civil War to seize eslaved persons from the South, turning them into contraband of war? (First federal law to weaken slavery during the war)

What act, signed on July 17th, 1862, freed enslaved people owned by Confederate officials, allowing the Union army to employ escaped African Americans in any capacity, including combat?

What act, signed on July 17th, 1862, authorized the employment of African Americans in military service and their use as laborers and soldiers? (First law permitting African Americans to serve in combat roles in the Union)

What executive order, issued by Lincoln on January 1st, 1863, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate territory were free, transforming the Civil War into a fight against slavery? (Recruitment of over 180,000 men into USCT)

What organization, established by the US War Department on May 22, 1863, was created to organize and manage USCT, formalizing recruitment, pay structure, and officer appointments, thus helping with the standardization of Black military service?

What legislation was passed on June 15th, 1864, granting equal pay to African American soldiers, retroactive to January 1st, then enlistment date?

What amendment was passed January 31st, 1865, ratified December 6th, 1865, abolishing slavery and indentured servitude in the US, except for punishment of a crime?

What act established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, with the purpose of assisting formerly enslaved people with food, housing, etc, bridging the transition from slavery to freedom?

How many enslaved African Americans were there by 1861?

How many free Black people were in the North by 1861?

What Union general popularized the term “contraband of war” as a legal loophole for harboring freedom-seekers?

What military regiment was authorized by Governor John A. Andrew of Massachusetts in 1863, recruiting primarily free Black men, training at Camp Meigs in Reidsville, Massachusetts?

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, white abolitionist officer from Boston, and Sergeant William H. Carney, notable African American soldier, both led what regiment?

Which key engagement of the 54th Massachusetts occurred on July 18th, 1863, in South Carolina, with over 40% casualties, Colonel Shaw killed, showing their bravery and led to increased recruitment?

How was the 54th Massachusetts treated by other units?

In what battle, according to some Confederate memoirs and letters, were most of the wounded/captured Union soldiers from the 54th and other units killed by Confederate troops?

What 54th Massachusetts sergeant became the first African American to receive a commission as an officer of a combat regiment of the regular Union army?

What regiment was organized starting August of 1862, unofficially formed by anti-slavery Kansas leaders before black enlistment was legalized?

Colonel James M. Williams and William D. Matthews were some of the leadership of what colored infantry regiment?

What key engagement of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment served as the first battle where an African American unit engaged Confederates, showing that Black soldiers were effective fighters? (10/29/1862)

What key engagement of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment served as one of the largest battles in the West? (07/1863)

When did 1st Kansas Colored become the 79th Regiment of the USCT?

How were the 1st Kansas Colored treated?

What unit was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops on May 1863, recruiting primarily from individuals in DC, Maryland, and Virginia?

Colonel William Birney is among many officers who commanded what military unit?

The Siege of Petersburg and Richmond and the Battle of New Market Heights are key engagements of which military unit?

How was the 1st USCT treated by other units?

What battle in Louisiana lasted from May-July 1863?

Which battle, on July 30th, 1864, saw a mine explode under Confederate lines, with major casualties due to poor leadership?